During the last 3 decades, Korea created 4 million ha of artificial forest; about 50% of these plantation areas remain. As of 1996, total stock volume was estimated at 296 million m(3). The average was 50 m(3) per ha-much higher than the 1960s figure, 10 m(3) per ha. The total stock volume is estimated to be 563 million m(3) in 2010. For management of these resources, Korea has formed four forest development plans from 1973 to now. Korea used 25.3 million m(3) for the domestic market in 1995. Domestic timber production was about 1 million m(3), or about 4% of the domestic market. In 2010, Korea is expected to produce 4.8 million m(3) of timber, 16% of an expected 30.7 million m(3) domestic market. In 1995, the production of sawn timber, plywood, particleboard and fiberboard was 3.4, 1.0, 0.5, and 0.5 million m(3) respectively, and in addition import amounts were 1.0, 1.3, 0.5, 0.1 million m(3). The import ratio of these products was 22.8, 56.5, 50.0, 16.7%, respectively. The production of board has increased sharply in the 1990s. The demand of sawn timber, plywood, and boards is expected to be 4.7, 3.0, and 2.2 million m(3) in 2010. Recently the sawn timber and plywood industries have been depressed, and the board industry was activated in the 1990s. These trends will continue in the near future.
